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Senate to Hear Wave of LABI Priorities, Supported Bills
As we mentioned earlier, although it was an earlier start for the Senate Tuesday, the upper chamber only addressed one of the numerous pieces of LABI-supported legislation. Those bills have been carried over to today’s agenda and range from workforce alignment to workers’ compensation reforms. We’ll highlight a few of those…
Leading off, HB 162 by Rep. Alan Seabaugh (R-Many) revises the existing appeals process for medical treatment determinations reviewed by the Office of Workers’ Compensation. Currently, disputes over proposed care are first reviewed by the OWC medical director based on the evidence presented and decided in accordance with evidence-based treatment guidelines. If a party disagrees with the medical director’s recommendation, a party may then appeal the decision to a workers’ compensation judge, who may overturn said decision upon a finding, by clear and convincing evidence, that the decision was incorrect. This bill clarifies that judicial review of medical treatment decisions should be limited to the same evidence presented to and evaluated by the medical director.
Senate Labor approved an amendment last week that would permit workers’ compensation judges to refer new evidence back to the medical director for consideration and possible revision of the original determination.
SB 305 by Sen. Rick Edmonds (R-Baton Rouge) is an LA Driven-Approved measure requiring the Louisiana Board of Regents, Louisiana Works and other relevant agencies to develop a publicly accessible career alignment data dashboard. The practical tool would map educational programs to the career outcomes they produce, giving students clearer insight into pathways across the state and the training needed to pursue them.
This level of transparency matters. When students understand the opportunities available—and how to reach them—they are better positioned to pursue high-wage, high-demand careers and more likely to build their futures here in Louisiana.
SB 382, another LABI-approved measure by Sen. Seabaugh, repeals the ineffective and little used Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council. Maintaining the WCAC is an unnecessary drain on government resources. This legislation also cleared Senate Labor last week. An identical measure, HB 535 by Rep. Raymond Crews (R-Bossier City), is expected to soon be heard in House Labor.